Bobby Colgan Award 2018, film Shona McMillan ©

Across his life, Bobby has played with Scotland's top Dance Bands. On his 81st birthday, friends gathered at Macmerry Box and Fiddle Club to honour him. From impromptu photos and film I took on the day, I've edited this together to capture, I hope, the happy event it was for all. My thanks to everyone at Macmerry who let me photograph and film them and who have also encouraged me in my own music.
BOBBY COLGAN'S BIRTHDAY & AWARD, April 2018: The Macmerry Club was packed to capacity for an event that had been so well organised by club members Irene and Jimmy Cairns, with music and the award presentation organised by Leonard Brown. With a wonderful selection of tunes, Leonard Brown’s band had the audience enthusiastically clapping along and a good few songs were also well delivered by Bobby Colgan himself. Speeches were made (some pretty emotional) and the atmosphere in the room could not have been warmer. Everyone there was absolutely delighted to see Bobby honoured with this well deserved tribute for his significant contribution made to the music scene over so many years.
From a lifetime friendship developed at school, with accordion player Jim Johnstone, Bobby became involved in music through drumming (assisted by his father’s cousin Alex Dodds) and then, he also contributed to many shows and events as a singer. Over the years, Bobby played drums with many bands working with Jim Johnstone, Andrew Rankine and Jimmy Shand. Also, he played with Jimmy Blue, sang with Bert Shorthouse, Andy Stewart, Bobby MacLeod, Jimmy Lindsay and (played full time with Jim Johnstone's Band for many, many years). In addition, Bobby played for Calum Kennedy in theatres around the country. Working on so many top Scottish Shows, Bobby also introduced people such as Chic Murray and Billy Connolly. Across these years, many long friendships were formed with musicians including Billy Thom, Gordon Pattullo, Bill, Robert and Duncan Black and fiddler Marie Fielding. Plus, long friendships also formed through Bobby’s contributions to the Accordion and Fiddle Club at Haddington and then the Box and Fiddle Club held at MacMerry Miners Club in East Lothian.
Marking Bobby’s considerable contribution the Macmerry audience stood several times to applaud him. Then, when the speeches were done (and people had eaten their fill at a wonderful buffet) the night’s entertainment continued with more great music by the Leonard Brown All Star Band with Liam Stewart on Piano, Duncan Findlay on Banjo and Guitar, John Sinton on Double Bass, Malcolm Ross on Drums and Leonard on the Accordion.
Photos and film by Shona McMillan
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